Closure For a Container

Abstract

This invention relates to a closure for sealing an opening of a container. In particular, the present invention relates to a closure ( 10 ) for sealing a mouth of a container, such as a bottle. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a closure for sealing an opening defined by a mouth of a container, the closure comprising a body ( 12 ) adapted to overlie the mouth; and a discontinuous skirt ( 14 ) extending from the body, wherein the skirt is deformable between an open position and a closed position. The present invention also provides methods for applying the closure to a container.

1 . A closure for sealing an opening defined by a mouth of a container, the closure comprising:
 (a) a body adapted to overlie the mouth;   (b) a discontinuous skirt extending from the body, wherein the skirt is deformable between an open position and a closed position; and   (c) a plurality of fingers, wherein each finger has, in use, a container-engagable face and an exterior face;   
       wherein some or all of the plurality of fingers are oriented such that the exterior face of some or all of the fingers is located, in use, adjacent an inner surface of the mouth of the container. 
     
     
         2 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the skirt comprises a plurality of arms, extending from the body. 
     
     
         3 . A closure according to  claim 2 , wherein a point of discontinuity is defined between adjacent arms. 
     
     
         4 . A closure according to  claim 2 , wherein each arm has, in use, a container-engagable face and an exterior face. 
     
     
         5 . A closure according to  claim 2 , wherein, in the open position, the plurality of arms extends substantially radially from the body. 
     
     
         6 . A closure according to  claim 4 , wherein, in the closed position, some or all of the plurality of arms are oriented such that the container-engagable face of some or all of the arms is located, in use the mouth of the container. 
     
     
         7 . A closure according to  claim 2 , wherein each arm is hingedly mounted to the body. 
     
     
         8 . A closure according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one arm further comprises a retaining element. 
     
     
         9 . A closure according to  claim 8 , wherein, in use, the retaining element is oriented toward the mouth of the container. 
     
     
         10 . A closure according to  claim 2 , wherein at least some of the arms are adapted to be secured to each adjacent arm. 
     
     
         11 . A closure according to  claim 2 , wherein the closure further comprises means for securing each arm to an adjacent arm. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A closure according to  claim 11 , wherein the securing means comprises an annular member, adapted to at least partially circumscribe some or all of the arms, in the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . A closure according to  claim 2 , wherein, in the closed position, at least part of each arm can form at least a partial connection with the at least part of an adjacent arm. 
     
     
         15 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A closure according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of fingers is interspersed with the plurality of arms. 
     
     
         19 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one finger further comprises a retaining element. 
     
     
         22 . A closure according to  claim 21 , wherein, in use, the retaining element is oriented toward the mouth of the container. 
     
     
         23 . A closure according to  claim 2 , wherein at least part of the exterior face of each finger is adapted to receive at least part of the container-engagable face of an adjacent arm, in the closed position. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A closure according to  claim 1  comprising an inner section and an outer section, wherein the outer section comprises a first body and a discontinuous skirt; and the inner section comprises a second body and a plurality of fingers. 
     
     
         26 . A closure according to  claim 25 , wherein the outer section is adapted to receive the inner section. 
     
     
         27 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure is formed from a deformable material. 
     
     
         28 .- 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A method of sealing an opening defined by a mouth of a container using a closure according to  claim 1 ; the method comprising the steps of: applying the closure to the mouth of the container, and deforming the discontinuous skirt from the open position to the closed position. 
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 32 , wherein the deforming step comprises increasing the internal energy of at least part of the closure. 
     
     
         34 .- 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . An assembly system for sealing an opening defined by a mouth of a container using a closure according to  claim 1 ; the assembly system comprising means for applying a closure to the mouth of the container, and means for deforming the discontinuous skirt from the open position to the closed position. 
     
     
         40 . A closure for sealing an opening defined by a mouth of a container, the closure comprising: a body; and a skirt comprising a plurality of spaced apart arms extending from the body; wherein at least part of the skirt, together with the body, forms a stopper; wherein the stopper is shaped and dimensioned such that the container-engagable face of the closure can, in use, form an interference fit with the inner surface of the mouth of the container. 
     
     
         41 . A closure according to  claim 40 , wherein the closure further comprises a plurality of fingers; wherein each finger, together with the body, forms the stopper.